Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, winner of the 2012 Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach, is one of three candidates to be the head coach at Boston College, ESPN.com first reported.

BC athletic director Brad Bates says that he has spoken to the team’s seniors to keep them abreast of the search. A new coach could be named no later than next week.

Also among the candidates is Ball State coach Pete Lembo and New Orleans Saints assistant Aaron Kromer, ESPN.com reports.

“It doesn’t surprise me if they want to talk to Bob Diaco,” coach Brian Kelly told The Chicago Tribune on Sunday night. “I think he’s the finest defensive coordinator in the country. We have conversations about it, and all I can tell you is that it doesn’t surprise me that he’s part of it. I won’t get into the specifics about conversations with particular schools out of respect for them and their process, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to me that they’d be after Bob Diaco.”